'BULING-BULING' FEST IN PANDACAN HONORS SANTO NIÑO / CEBU: SINULOG
[PHOTO AT LEFT - 'BULING-BULING' FESTIVAL IN PANDACAN, METRO MANILA]
MANILA, JANUARY 16, 2011 (YAHOO ASIA) By By Anna Valmero, loQal.ph for Yahoo! Southeast Asia Editors – January 13th, 2011 - Like the Aklan with its Ati-Atihan, Pandacan also holds a "festival of colors" to pay homage to the Santo Niño. They have been celebrating the "Buling-buling" festival for the last 200 years.
According to Pilar Anglong (or "Tita Pie" to locals), the Buling-buling feast started in the 1800s, which makes it one of the oldest festivals in the Philippines.
Pandacan natives don their Spanish-era costumes and go out into the streets as they groove and gracefully wave their bodies together with the images of Sto. Niño into the marching tunes of local brass bands
Buling-buling means "beautiful," a term that the locals associate with the youthful Santo Niño. But just how did the buling-buling become associated with the Santo Niño?
According to one story, when the Spaniards were about to invade the town, they saw a little boy playing, whom they believed to be the infant Jesus. Afraid to face heaven's wrath, the soldiers chose to retreat. Upon learning this, the locals rejoiced and thanked the Santo Niño.
"I think what makes Buling-buling more significant is that because the two churches here, the Christian and Aglipay, have united in their devotion to the Santo Nino through the feast," said Anglong.
For Pandaquenos, the fiesta is a celebration of enthusiasm, happiness and joy, their way of honoring their Christian faith, she added.
Previously, the festival day is set on January 14 but parishioners of the Sto. Niño de Pandacan Church agreed that if this date does not fall on a Sunday, the feast day is set on the next Sunday after January 14.
Meanwhile, January 14 remains the "Pistang Dakila" wherein Pandacan natives abroad or in other parts of the country, even priests who served at the local church, will come home to celebrate the Holy Mass together.
It has been said that people in Pandacan save for the whole year and live in frugal means to celebrate the festivity.
"This year's festival is quite momentous as it marks the turn of the tercentenary or the 300th year of the Pandacan parish to be celebrated on 2012 as well as the 129th Feast day of the Sto. Niño," said Bobby Thomas, spokesperson of "Samahang Sining at Kalinangan ng Pandacan" (SSK Pandacan), a local nonprofit group that coordinates activities for the Buling-buling.
Unlike in previous years, the SSK Pandacan will organize a "Buling-buling ng Maynila" Dance Festival for locals and "Ati-atihan" challenge wherein schools will perform tribal dances.
There will also be dinner ceremonies for senior citizens, youth and overseas foreign workers or OFWs returning home, as well as fun run and tree planting activities.
Asked why even non-Pandacan residents should consider joining the Buling-buling, Thomas said: "Colorful fiestas and festivals in the Philippines are often expected in the provinces. Here in our town, Pandacan natives have managed to preserve this centuries-old tradition amid the urban lifestyle we have and that is one good reason that our fellow Filipinos should join and celebrate this event with us."
In Cebu: Noy graces Sinulog festival By Gregg Rubio/Freeman (The Philippine Star) Updated January 17, 2011 12:00 AM
[PHOTO - AQUINO JOINS SINULOG FEST President Aquino arrives to attend the 2011 Sinulog Festival in Cebu City Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. Also in photo is Rep. Tomas Osmeña who welcomed President Aquino. (Photo by CHERYL BALDICANTOS, BULLETIN)]
President Aquino urged the people to pray to the Sto. Niño to protect the country from disaster and calamities and to be able to cope with all the challenges.
"Santo Niño ampingin kaming tanan," Aquino said in his speech at the Cebu City Sports Center on the occasion of the Sinulog festival yesterday.
Aquino arrived at 10:15 in the morning, before the start of the grand parade and Sinulog showdown.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Reps. Tomas Osmeña and Cutie del Mar and other city officials welcomed the President.
[PHOTO - SINULOG FESTIVITIES In Cebu City, dancers and devotees brave the rains to pay homage to the province's saint, the Santo Niño, during the famed Sinulog Grand Mardi Gras. President Benigno S. Aquino III joined the revelry and offered prayers to the revered Sto. Niño to protect the country from disasters and other challenges in the future. (Photo by CHERYL BALDICANTOS, BULLETIN)]
Aquino said that the Sinulog festival is distinctly Cebuano.
"Indeed, I have found love here; I am in love with the old charm of the city and the natural hospitality of the people. The atmosphere of the Sinulog cannot be compared with any other celebration," Aquino said.
Aquino said the inherent hospitality and unique lechon make Cebu one of the best at holding fiestas and the cultural celebration indeed showcased Cebuano values and beliefs.
He also asked Cebuanos to pray for recovery and rehabilitation for those who were affected by massive flashfloods in various parts of the country.
"Let us pray for our countrymen in Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao who are coping with the calamity. May Sr. Sto. Niño protect our country from disaster and other challenges that may come our way," Aquino said.
He also asked for the united efforts of the Cebuanos to help those in need, just like how they united to celebrate the festival.
The President stayed at the grandstand for about an hour before flying back to Manila. With him was his running mate in last year's election, Senator Mar Roxas.
Some 151 contingents joined yesterday's Sinulog 2011 grand parade and thousands turned up to watch despite the incessant rains.
Sinulog dancers, floats, and dancing higantes (giants) had to wait for the rain to stop, but tourists and locals attending the grand parade braved the rains just to celebrate and witness the colorful and raucous festival.
Cebu City policemen as well as medics, first-aid volunteers and ambulances were deployed in the area of the festival.
The Red Cross team reported a motorcycle hit a 9-year-old child who was treated at the Cebu City Hospital for minor injures in his elbow and knee.
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